SOCU prosecution can inspect, take copies of ex Asst CoP Brutus’ bank accounts- court

Last Updated on Friday, 14 March 2025, 21:48 by Writer

Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty on Thursday granted an application by the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to inspect and take copies of the bank accounts of dismissed Assistant Commissioner of Police, Calvin Brutus and contractor Corwin Nicholson, the police force said.

“SOCU, however, contended that the requested records were critical to establishing the charges instituted against Brutus and Nicholson and that the banking records are relevant to show that Brutus and Nicholson received payments for goods that were never delivered to the Guyana Police Force,” that law enforcement agency said in a statement.

SOCU reportedly applied on January 17, 2025 for an order to access those bank accounts to provide the court with certified copies of banking documents in respect of several pending criminal offences. Mr Brutus is charged with 252 counts while Mr Nicholson is charged with 14 counts of different offences.

SOCU said Defence Counsel Eusi Anderson and Dominic Bess argued that the prosecution’s application was a fishing expedition and that the requested documents did not fall within the meaning of what constitutes a Banker’s Book under Section 2 of the Evidence Act Cap 5.01.

SOCU’s prosecution, in relying on legal authorities, argued that an entry within the meaning of a “banker’s book” was wide enough to include any form of permanent record kept by the bank in its ordinary day-to-day transactions, inclusive of electronic documents and that Section 2 of the Act contemplated electronic data forming part of a bank’s record.

The Chief Magistrate granted SOCU’s application to access and take copies of Mr Brutus and Mr Nicholson’s bank accounts under the Evidence Act Cap 5.03. SOCU also said the Court directed the prosecution to file another Banker’s Application and include a request for electronic banking documents.